Tea and Sympathy: The Truth About Good News
What do you want first? The good news or the bad news? Most seem to say, “Give me the bad news first”. Why? Because we are hopeful that the harsh reality will be comforted by some good news that will follow. Today, I offer you a healthy dose of both. In the end, I hope you will agree, this is the way it should be. Consider this question with me for a bit. I have some news for you…
News, real, accurate, true “news” is a revelation, story, or exposition of that which has happened, is happening, or is to happen. The news could be “good”, “bad”, or just “news”. But the idea with news is, “this is reality”. In our world, in our modern age, of course, such news is rare. “News” today is often interpretation, fabrication, sensationalization, or propaganda.
This was not, and is not the case with what we often refer to as the “Good News” of scripture. We are told in scripture, in fact, that the revelation of God, in Christ, and revealed in the words of the Bible, are to be received as and acted upon as “good news” in its truest sense. But do we? Do we wish to take all of it as good news? What about the parts that call our lives to account? What about the verses which question our sexual ethics? What about the parts which temper our materialism and ego? What about…
The problem with our age, and many of us individually, and all of us as some point or another, is that we often only wish to hear and embrace those portions of the Bible which make us feel all warm and fuzzy. We want to be told we are forgiven, but we don’t want to hear about that which places us in need of forgiveness. The problem with that is that if we are not willing to hear the real news (bad, in fact) about who we are, we can never know our need for the good news of forgiveness. Further, this hinders us from experiencing insane joy, relief, and gratitude to God for His undeserved goodness.
Not too long ago I ran into someone I had not seen in some time, some one I really want to see prosper in life. Knowing this person, and how they have lived, I knew that the kind of life they generally lived was not really in keeping with the quality of life offered to us in scripture. Parties, sexual freedom, live in relationships, drunkenness, immodesty, and a number of other realities characterized this persons life. This person, like all of those created in God’s image, has many attractive qualities as well, and I generally like, and deeply care for this person, but the tone of their life is as described.
Not knowing what had been going on in this person’s life in some time, I was open to hearing a general life update, and got one. What was interesting was that despite updates others had given me about this friend in recent months, I was unaware that this friend had been “attending church for several months now”, as it was put to me. Thrilled to hear that I offered encouragement, but was interrupted by them when they said, “Yeah, the thing I really like about going is that the speaker is always so positive,…I always leave feeling good.”
Now let’s hit the pause button a moment. As a person who enjoys living life according to the model of Christ, and one who enjoys spending time with unchurched people, and as one who genuinely likes unchurched people, I am always thrilled to hear that someone has made their way to a local pew. So, I am, let’s be clear, thrilled this person has taken that step. What did concern me, however, was the lack of apparent recognition, even after nearly a year in church, of any heart felt “need” of God’s altering their life. I, of course, checked my heart and did not want to assume something false, and so I have watched that life closely in more recent months to see evidence of a real change of heart and soul. Let’s pause again here. I am the first to affirm that when we come to God for forgiveness and redirection it takes time for His character to be built in us. We don’t walk down an isle, say a prayer or fill out a card and “boom” we are saints. Its a process for us all. It is also true, however, that in a true conversion something radical does indeed happen, and some difference is felt, seen, and lived out. When no fruit is being born, and no changes are evident for all who know us to see, we must doubt what has truly taken place. Further, it is also true, that some come to the church and can be there for quite some time before a true conversion takes place. Again, salvation is a process for most. I get, teach, and affirm that. Maybe that is going on here? Time will tell perhaps. O.k., hit the play button again.
What concerns me for this friend and for the church in America as a whole, and for our culture as a whole is the prevalent desire to define our “goodness” as we see fit. By the way, this “friend” fits the description of may people I have befriended over the years. Its a most common situation. Further, we call good that which is dark, and we are prone to call nothing dark, let alone “sin”. If there is no “darkness” in us or in culture, why are Christ’s followers called to be the “light” of the world?
The danger in many pulpits today, and in the minds of too many church goers, is the idea expressed this way, “You are good, I am good, its all good…Amen, enjoy your week, and let’s do this again next week!” And then people leave the sanctuary unchanged and unable to understand why life is no different from the week before. I care deeply for this friend I have described and for the untold millions who live this way, and hope for the best, indeed pray for the best. Yet, in the months following our conversation, it has been apparent that a great many of the lifestyle realities which were there before, and which are very damaging, are still very much in place. There seems to be little outward tangible evidence of true life altering conversion. I don’t know all and don’t claim to be or desire to be or try to be the “judge” of this or any person, just looking at what is there. I am sad about it, hopefully sad, but profoundly sad. I do hope I am wrong and missing something. But this is the point as I will bear out later.
Another friend asked me recently what I thought about a rather well known pastor. My response did not sit too well with them. Pause, again. I am NOT one of “those” who go around talking about what is so wrong with churches, pastors, other christians, etc. I am generally speaking, an encourager and look for the way forward towards God’s plan. The difficulty I have with the leader this person asked about, and much of our approach to christianity in America, is that we want to make everyone comfortable, happy, wealthy, and well kept…and continuing to fill our pews and offering baskets. If we are not careful our Sunday worship hour can turn into a feel good pep rally full of smiles and niceties without any life change. When this happens the people in our pews go on living like everyone else in the culture, experience very little of the abundant life God offers, and make no difference in the lives of others. That is not salvation, that is not Church. That is a false life. As has been said, “I don’t have any difficulty with the Christ of Christianity, its the Christians I have a problem with.” Of course, none of us is perfect, yet, we should be resembling more and more, the One we proclaim to follow. If we want Him and His benefits we must also want His character built into us.
Let me be more direct. The concern I have for this person I have also for our churches and for each one of us. If we don’t recognize that the Good News has two sides we have not experienced it. The good news of God assumes that there exists a recognition of our NEED for good news. The good news starts with who we are, and then offers us the cure for the ugliness of that reality. As was spoken of Christ the Messiah in the Old Testament, “Those who were in darkness have seen a great light!” Darkness = bad, Light = Good. That’s how it works. Let’s look at a few biblical examples.
Isaiah. Chapter 6. Read it. This is a classic Old Testament text which shows vividly the true nature of God’s good news. Isaiah has a vision. In that vision he, a holy man of God, sees himself and the people he serves as utterly dark, marred, and sinful. So much so that he is “undone” and cries out to God expecting nothing but what he deserves for being so corrupt of heart. This is a man who was not in a bar or two every week or every night. He was not living with various women. He was not an addict or a greedy man. He was not misleading others with his words and deeds. He would have been the poster child for a church board member for us. Yet, seeing himself as he really was, he came unglued, cried to God for mercy and healing, and was touched by God, THEN, sent into service for Him.
The problem with us today is that we don’t do the first part. We don’t want to hear anything about our being soiled and unworthy. We desire to reframe life. Instead of allowing God to speak to us we wish to define the kind of God we will serve. We want the smiley, get rich and happy god. We want the “Its all good” god. We want the “Don’t judge me” god. We want the “If it feels good how can it be wrong” god. We want the “Don’t get fanatical on me” god. But that is not real. It brings bad results.
The Rich Young Ruler. Remember this guy? Jesus runs into him while here on earth going about his ministry. The guy, thinking he has his act together, approaches Jesus and asks, “What must I do to be saved?” Simply, Jesus says, “Have you passed these few moral tests?…” He answers with a grin, “No problem, got that, done that, check, good, I’m cool”. Then Jesus, addressing his heart after he attempted to hide behind his spiritual acts, says, “Give all you have to the poor and follow me.” Jesus wanted the guy to know that his heart was not really in it after all. He wanted him to know that his money would not close this deal.
In our day, I am afraid, too many of us would say, “That is not fair, Jesus. That is overboard! I thought you were a good guy! Hey, I am not going to kill anyone, but I am not doing that! I will find a nicer god.” Essentially, this is what the rich young ruler said too. The story ends with this horribly sad verse, “He though about what Jesus said and went away very sad.” That’s it! He just refused to take Jesus up on his deal. What did he miss? The news. The Good News. The truth about himself and God. And more.
He missed what we miss today. We want it all on our terms. He missed that Jesus actually told him how he could have eternal life and salvation! Did you get that?! He was told by God in the flesh how to know Him and he said, “No thanks.” Crazy, you say? Yes. We do the same. We fail to see that it is good news in its truest form that God has revealed Himself to us, and has given us the roadmap. We, like the rich young ruler, just want more options. It has been noted that the problem for us, with regard to marriage, is not that God offers us one spouse. Rather, the problem is that He has placed any limits at all. Had he offered us 100 we would have demanded 101. We crave our own answers for our desires. But its good news to know what the true answer is.
What if you asked your boss how to get a huge promotion and bigger pay check? What if he or she told you how to do it? What if it was clear, for your good, no manipulation, but it took work? Would you do it? Would your boss be “good” to tell you? What if your parents (I am talking to you teenagers) told you how to do life successfully? Would that be good? Or is your view as a high schooler the one you will live by no matter what?
So, why don’t we want to take God up on the real news about ourselves and about life in Him? Because we wish to have Him and also to define life for ourselves. But do you see the stupidity in that? He is truth, and we want to craft our truth even when it so conflicts with what is truly true! We wish the bad news about our character to be good news. We refuse the true news which offers us cleansing from our badness and false news about ourselves and life in general. We want of god of tea and sympathy.
He tells us not to cross the boundaries sexually because it actually harms us and others and separates us from Him. We just want to be told “It feels good for a few minutes, so keep it up.” We want to be told we can live for stuff and it will work out, and we will keep our integrity, family, and sanity. The good news is that it won’t work. It is good to know the truth so we can live abundantly. We want to hear the preacher say, “You are lovely.” Despite the fact that our lives are miserable and conflicted. We want the “God of love” but not the God of all truth. We want the God who is always smiling and who never gets angry at the darkness within us. But should He just smile, continually, at a world filled with deceit, war, violence, rape, torture, and all manner of corruption? Do you always smile when people do you harm? The love of God for our good calls Him to anger over that which destroys us. In order for Him to delight in our good, does it not follow that He would abhor that which is bad for us? Surely.
Lastly, look at the woman at the well and the woman caught in adultery. Two women. Two meetings with the giver of Good News. What did Jesus tell them? Well, He did not ignore the reality of their lives that’s for sure. The woman caught in adultery, she had been caught in the act. Rather than ignore it, Jesus had her and everyone see her failing, but then He offered her forgiveness for her captivity. Yes, He viewed her adultery as captivity. More on this later.
The woman at the well? Again, Jesus told her, in her words, “Everything about me”. He confronted her in her serial sexual promiscuity…and He offered her another life. He did not say, “Take my life and all the perks and keep on sleeping around and partying”. Rather, He had her see the depravity and emptiness of her life and told her, “Go and sin no more”. Good news! Your are broken. I can fix you and offer you a better life. That is the message we need.
Notice, importantly, that neither of those who took Him up on His offer attempted to dodge the blows of truth to the ego. They did not say, “But God, it was so and so’s fault.” Or “It is because of my past”. Or “My father never loved me”. And the woman at the well did not dare say, “But Jesus, it was my five husbands’ fault!” “All of them were bad men”. “My first husband, he was emotionally detached! My second, a carouser! My third, a drinker! My fourth, lazy! And my fifth…oh, don’t get me started on him!” No, they took the blame, accepted reality, and embraced the grace and healing extended to them. They ran from the darkness to the light of truth and grace.
In a culture where night is called day and the light is called darkness, and amidst headlines where those who stand for God’s view of marriage are mocked, we would do well to consider the truth about good news. The good news of God is accurate, definitive, life-giving, and joyfully uncompromising. Like the woman at the well, the woman caught in adultery, and countless others, we must escape the plight of the rich young ruler (the one who wished to rule his own life and heart), and accept the news from God that we are in need of His revelation. We come to Him on His terms.
When we choose self over family, families die. When we choose pleasure over sobriety, bodies, relationships and mental health deteriorate. When we choose fame and fortune over consistent and controlled living, we find life unsatisfying at the very point we expected it to make us more content. Indeed, the deepest despair in life is found at that moment when we obtain everything we thought would give us fulfillment, and by any measure, only to find our cravings unquenched.
Do we doubt it is good news when we are approaching a bridge which is only halfway built, and the signs tell us to turn way? Do we doubt the life-giving reality of being told to hold our breath while under the water to keep from drowning? Just as the darkness is illuminated by the light, and as hope pulls back the curtains of despair, so does the good news of God offer us a view of life which brings healing, protection, joy, peace, and purpose.
Its not all good. Good is good. Goodness comes from God. This is news we must hear if we are to find the life He offers, life to the full (Jn 10:10). In His goodness He tells us the truth about ourselves rather than merely offer us tea and sympathy. Sometimes we need someone to grab the teacup and its saucer, and throw it against the wall of our madness, and say, “Wake up! You are headed in the wrong direction!” Love is angered over destruction, indifference is a sign of true hatred. God loves us, and so He is passionate for our good. He is lovingly enraged when our lives are being thrown away. He offers us so much more.
Hear the words of Jesus if you hope to find the “good” life, the very words He offered as His vision statement to the world, words offered against a backdrop of bad stuff, stuff which characterizes, according to Jesus, all of our lives, apart from Him,
I have come to bring good news to the poor,
liberty to the captive,
recovery of sight to the blind,
release from oppression,
and to proclaim the year of God’s favor.
Again, Jesus begins with the reality of our condition. We need His alternative because we are trapped, blind, captive, poor, and oppressed. This is our spiritual condition. He announces that freedom from a false life leads to real celebration in the deepest part of us. With forgiveness comes jubilee. Jubilee, the year of God’s favor, was a time set apart as a national God party. It was when everyone went joyously worship crazy because of the redemptive work of God on their behalf. That which had dominated and controlled them for so long had been broken. They were astounded by the freedom and hope given them by God. If we don’t know our state, we can’t rejoice in the good news of a new found liberty, freedom, and vibrancy of life.
The Good News is that He knows who you are even when you refuse to acknowledge it. He sees what you want no one to see. He sees what you try to hide from Him, and that which you keep hidden from others, and that which you even try to hide from yourself. He hears your deepest yearnings and most intense cries. And, He loves you and offers you more. You won’t ever find it on the road He has not blessed. He is a God of love. He is jealous for your good. He won’t sit around letting you think all is well when you are on the road to greater emptiness and despair. He is your good and only hope.
He offers peace in place of pain, compassion in place of bitterness, fulfillment in place of a cold empty heart, hope in place of defeat, honesty in place of deception, love in place of lust, passion in place of perversion, sobriety in place of uncontrolled craving, and life in place of death.
That, my friends, is Good News.
Grace and Goodness in Him,
Bruce Smith
optimuslife.org
soulstormsite.com